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Early Childhood learning is noisy, active, and surprising. Our curriculum for these critical years provides the whole child with hands-on experience, exploration, fun, and adventure. WES challenges students to embrace academic rigor in an appropriately balanced and supportive environment. WES’s extraordinary teachers work each day to create an atmosphere of high, positive expectations, goodwill, and an appreciation for discovery and learning. They not only teach, but also coach, sponsor, chaperon, and counsel.
Faculty members and directors meet regularly to incorporate best practices and share innovations, and they are supported by the WES Professional Development Program, ensuring that each teacher has access to the academic and technological training and tools they need.
Here, supported by faculty and staff, children stand out without burning out. Students challenge themselves academically, physically, and spiritually, and broaden their world view. Life at WES is a constant adventure.
"I love the field trips and plays at WES."
— Kindergarten student responses to the question, "Why do you love WES?"
"My teachers and friends are the best. Everyone is friendly."
— Kindergarten student responses to the question, "Why do you love WES?"
"I love my friends and, believe it or not, I love phonics at WES!"
— Kindergarten student responses to the question, "Why do you love WES?"
"WES is fun."
— Kindergarten student responses to the question, "Why do you love WES?"
The primary purpose of the PK3 program is to nurture children as they learn to function independently within a classroom setting. The importance of play is the highlight of the program.
The environment is prepared for children to explore and manipulate through learning materials, media, and equipment. Play experiences encourage problem-solving and the development of attention span and organizational skills.
The days are bursting with art, music, movement, science, and math. Kids plunge into language arts, PE, library, and more. Friendship building is also a key component of development and is supported and advanced throughout the year.
Please note that PK3 applicants must be age 3 by September 1 and toilet trained to attend WES. The PK3 and PK4 programs start at 8:30 a.m. but students may be dropped off as early as 7:45 a.m.
Oral Language is practiced daily by speaking in circle time; participating in show and tell; singing songs and listening to stories, poems, and music; practicing auditory discrimination and memory activities; naming objects, colors, days of the week, and seasons; describing pictures and events; retelling stories; finding likenesses and differences; and identifying rhyming words, building vocabulary, and matching names and sounds of letters.
Students begin their study of written language by learning the alphabet; recognizing and spelling their first name; participating in language-experience activities and visual discrimination games. Handwriting skills are built by grasping paintbrushes, markers, crayons, and then pencils and introducing letters of the first name.
Children use objects such as blocks, pegs, various counters, and the calendar to learn the meaning of numbers and addition and subtraction concepts. They learn patterns through grouping and sorting by size and length, matching and ordering objects, and color patterns. Students learn to measure by experimenting during cooking projects and finding the length, height, and weight of various objects. Problem-solving is emphasized through work on individual and large-group puzzles.
PK3 students explore theme-based units with a focus on self, family, and celebrations. This includes respecting each other and caring for others in the community.
We emphasize the wonder of creating, exploring, problem-solving, and discovery through some of the fundamentals of art: drawing, painting, color mixing, collaging, and building with clay, wood, and cardboard. Subjects taught in the classroom are reinforced, such as seasons, holidays, life cycles, and hibernation. Students are introduced to two famous artists: Jackson Pollock and Vincent van Gogh. After learning about these artists, the students try their hand at action painting and using their observation skills to paint sunflowers.
Children experience and learn music through song, dance, play, and instruments. Singing games, finger plays, and movement are some of the activities used during our music class. At the end of PK3 music, each child will be able to move their bodies to demonstrate sections of music, sing simple call-and-response songs from memory, and maintain a steady beat on an instrument.
The PE curriculum develops coordination, strength, and character through a variety of games and activities. Team play, cooperation, respect for others, safety, and enjoyment are stressed.
Students focus on recognizing patterns and formulating answers to questions about the world around them. They are encouraged to develop their curiosity and make observations. Students begin to develop organized and analytical thinking as well as problem-solving skills. Students learn to take risks and gain confidence as they explore magnetism, floating and sinking, sketching, planting, the weather, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, dinosaurs, and more!
WES’s library program hopes to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Children enjoy a weekly storytime, where they are exposed to a wide range of genres and authors. They are encouraged to explore titles according to their personal interests and they may check out one book a week.
Students hear simple stories drawn from the Bible about God’s love for creation and humanity, and they are introduced to some major biblical characters. Students also learn virtues that are emphasized each month.
Books, videos, puppets, and other tools are used to encourage students’ social-emotional development. Topics include: promoting personal safety as well as the safety of others, recognizing feelings, practicing empathy and kindness, making and keeping friends, problem solving, using mindfulness techniques, and having a growth mindset.
From greeting each other in the morning to speaking confidently on stage, our Early Childhood students speak and perform publicly throughout the year including:
The PK4 class is designed to further develop the child’s ability to solve meaningful problems individually as well as within groups. A variety of materials and plenty of time are provided for children to explore and learn about their environment. An abundance of meaningful experiences develop basic skills in language and literacy. Foreign language instruction in either French or Spanish is introduced in this year; parents select the language of choice.
The development of fine motor skills continues to be encouraged through the use of a variety of writing tools. The children’s social skills are also maturing as they become much more aware of people relevant to their everyday life and the world at large. The following activities, experiences, and interactions are designed to encourage students to make choices that will foster confidence, initiative, and autonomy. Pre-K is for students who are 4 years old.
Students engage daily in a balanced literacy approach that includes opportunities for read-aloud, shared reading, phonics and word studies, interactive writing, and small group instruction (guided reading opportunities). The Heggerty Program and Reading Horizons are used as primary resources for word studies in phonemic awareness and phonics. A Reading and Writing Workshop approach is used to build upon a child’s independence in reading and writing, and to provide a greater depth into reading comprehension and meaningful writing. The Handwriting Without Tears® Program is used to promote the correct formation of letters and penmanship.
Students explore theme-based units with a focus on the following: self-growth and change, past and present, and chronological awareness.
The PE curriculum emphasizes the benefits of personal fitness, laying the foundation for lifelong wellness. Team plays, cooperation, respect for others, safety, and enjoyment are stressed.
Students take great joy in using their imaginations to discover, explore, learn, and problem-solve with each art challenge. A wide variety of materials are introduced as students continue to learn the fundamentals of art: drawing, painting, printing, and collaging. Students will also employ their three dimensional spatial and manipulative skills through working with ceramics and paper maché. Classroom learning is reinforced through cross-curricular efforts, including a hibernation collage and paper maché of rainforest creatures. Several well-known and some lesser-known artists are introduced, such as Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Charly Palmer. Students will learn about the artists as they try their hand at practicing the artist’s style.
Languages are taught using an immersion method where the children hear almost exclusively French or Spanish during class time. They are encouraged to respond in French or Spanish as much as possible. The emphasis is on learning while having fun by means of songs, rhymes, games, puppets, stories, and hands-on activities.
Children experience and learn music through singing games, echoing sounds, body percussion, and choral participation. Basic musical concepts such as rhythm and beat dynamics are explored through guided listening and songs. Students use pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments to enhance stories and songs. Students are given many opportunities to express themselves creatively in music class.
Students use their senses to make observations about the characteristics and interactions of objects in their world. Units of exploration include: the five senses, seasons/weather, human growth, animals, nutrition, plants, sea life, insects, sinking and floating, ecology, environmental stewardship, balances and weight, magnets, electricity, and the rock cycle. Students will develop many scientific skills—such as posing questions, conducting investigations, observing, classifying, and communicating information about the natural world—while also gaining knowledge in key content areas.
Students hear simple stories drawn from the Bible about God’s love for creation and humanity, and they are introduced to some major biblical characters. Students also learn virtues that are emphasized each month.
WES’s library program hopes to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Children enjoy a weekly storytime, where they are exposed to a wide range of genres and authors. They are encouraged to explore titles according to their personal interests and they may check out one book a week.
Books, videos, puppets, and other tools are used to encourage students’ social-emotional development. Topics include: promoting personal safety as well as the safety of others, recognizing feelings, practicing empathy and kindness, making and keeping friends, problem solving, using mindfulness techniques, and having a growth mindset.
From greeting each other in the morning to speaking confidently on stage, our Early Childhood students speak and perform publicly throughout the year including:
Kindergarten is an exciting year, marked by further development of students’ social and cognitive skills. At a more accelerated pace, the children continue to experiment with verbal sounds and use language to solve problems. An understanding of basic mathematical concepts is developed to aid in everyday life. Kindergarten is for students who are 5 years old.
Students engage daily in a balanced literacy approach that includes opportunities for read-aloud, shared reading, phonics and word studies, interactive writing, and small group instruction (guided reading opportunities). The Heggerty Program and Reading Horizons are used as primary resources for word studies in phonemic awareness and phonics. A Reading and Writing Workshop approach is used to build upon a child’s independence in reading and writing, and to provide a greater depth into reading comprehension and meaningful writing.
Classes use the Bridges in Mathematics Program, designed to develop a deep understanding of math concepts while working toward proficiency in key skills. The program helps students build more flexible and efficient ways to solve problems through a variety of tasks.
Kindergarten students explore theme-based units with a focus on the following: self-growth and change, past and present, and chronological awareness.
The PE curriculum emphasizes the benefits of personal fitness, laying the foundation for lifelong wellness. Team play, cooperation, respect for others, safety, and enjoyment are stressed.
Kindergarten students will continue their joyful exploration of various art materials and styles. Students are exposed to a wide variety of supplies as we draw, paint, print, collage, and build with clay and cardboard together. Kindergarten artists will learn to identify “still life,” “landscape,” and “portrait” as they view various well known and lesser known artists’ work. They will then try their hand at creating light and shadow from a simple “still life” set-up. We will focus on artists Faith Ringgold and Wassily Kandinsky. Art class reinforces the student’s classroom learning in several cross-curricular units, including a Native American unit and a Pond Life unit.
Languages are taught using an immersion method where the children hear almost exclusively French or Spanish during class time. Students expand their vocabulary in the target language and build upon concepts in a fun and interactive way. The emphasis is on repetition through songs, games, puppets, stories, and hands-on activities.
Our goal is to create lifelong lovers of music who, from the youngest of ages, are musically literate, active audience members, or accomplished performers. In Kindergarten, children experience and learn music through singing games, folk dances, and playing of instruments. We continue to build upon our musical skills from Pre-K in addition to learning to read simple musical notation. Students are given many opportunities to express themselves creatively in music class.
Kindergarten scientists engage in hands-on activities that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math. These activities promote problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking. They engage in a variety of experiments where they learn about electrical safety, identify the parts of a light bulb, learn how to draw a circuit diagram, and build a circuit using a light bulb, a bulb socket, a battery, battery holder, and wires. Students are introduced to Earth’s magnetic field, and learn to distinguish between things that are magnetic and things that are not. While studying floating and sinking, they design their own aluminum foil boats to learn about buoyancy. These units will further their skills in making predictions, collaborating, being creative, and applying the scientific method.
Students hear simple stories drawn from the Bible about God’s love for creation and humanity, and they are introduced to some major biblical characters. Students also learn virtues that are emphasized each month.
WES’s library program hopes to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Children enjoy a weekly storytime, where they are exposed to a wide range of genres and authors. They are encouraged to explore titles according to their personal interests and they may check out one book a week.
Books, videos, puppets, and other tools are used to encourage students’ social-emotional development. Topics include: promoting personal safety as well as the safety of others, recognizing feelings, practicing empathy and kindness, making and keeping friends, problem solving, using mindfulness techniques, and having a growth mindset.
From greeting each other in the morning to speaking confidently on stage, our Early Childhood students speak and perform publicly throughout the year including:
Grade 1 is an exciting year, marked by increased independence in students’ social and cognitive development. Children become active participants in their learning as they become readers, writers, and mathematicians.
Students engage in daily activities such as read-aloud, shared reading, phonics, and word studies. Interactive writing and small group instruction (guided reading opportunities) are also offered daily. Reading Horizons is used as a primary resource for word studies in phonemic awareness and phonics. A Reading and Writing Workshop approach is used to build upon a child’s independence in reading and writing. These workshops also provide greater depth into reading comprehension and meaningful writing.
Classes use the Bridges in Mathematics Program, designed to develop a deep understanding of math concepts while working toward proficiency in key skills. The program helps students build more flexible and efficient ways to solve problems through a variety of tasks.
Grade 1 students explore building a classroom community by learning about one another and how we can work together. They then focus on their neighborhood as a community, followed by their town or city as a community. We end our year by exploring important landmarks of Washington, D.C.
The PE curriculum emphasizes the benefits of personal fitness, laying the foundation for lifelong wellness. Team play, cooperation, respect for others, safety, and enjoyment are stressed.
With many of the basic fundamentals of art—such as line drawing, color mixing, scissor skills, and 2D and 3D exploration—underway, Grade 1 artists get right to work creating. Students begin the year with a full body action self-portrait, reviewing many famous artists that portray humans in action, such as William Johnson, Edgar Dégas, Mary Cassatt, and Norman Rockwell. They continue with projects that highlight angles, perspective, lights, and shadows. They will also explore history, social studies, and the natural sciences, as well as develop their observation skills and imagination. They will study Wilson Bentley (photographer), Bisa Butler, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Sipho Mabona.
Students will expand and enrich vocabulary by engaging in conversation, expressing feelings and emotions, obtaining and providing simple/basic information, and exchanging opinions in the target language. Through songs, movies, dancing, and games, learning will happen in a joyful manner.
Children experience and learn music through more diverse opportunities. We continue to build upon our musical skills learned in the previous grades, and add concepts of tempo, pitch, rhythmic and melodic reading, and recognizing the stylistic characteristics of music through listening. 1st graders also learn more complicated folk dances and participate in movement as a form of music expression. Students are given many opportunities to express themselves creatively in music class.
Students learn about, sort, and classify various kinds of animals—mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects; categorize the 6 animal groups; and create and present their own 3D creatures using recycled materials. Our young scientists also learn about the life cycle of different plants and animals, explore the rock cycle, make detailed observations while using microscopes, become familiar with the metric system, and understand the function and structure of animal and plant cells. Students complete and present Earth Day projects, explaining how they can take care of our planet.
Students hear simple stories drawn from the Bible about God’s love for creation and humanity, and they are introduced to some major biblical characters. Students also learn virtues that are emphasized each month.
WES’s library program hopes to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Children enjoy a weekly storytime, where they are exposed to a wide range of genres and authors. They are encouraged to explore titles according to their personal interests and they may check out one book a week.
Books, videos, puppets, and other tools are used to encourage students’ social-emotional development. Topics include: promoting personal safety as well as the safety of others, recognizing feelings, practicing empathy and kindness, making and keeping friends, problem solving, using mindfulness techniques, and having a growth mindset.
From greeting each other in the morning to speaking confidently on stage, our Early Childhood students speak and perform publicly throughout the year including:
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